Skiing simulator with individually controlled ski mounts



F. MARCHU 3,531,110

SKIING SIMULATOR WITH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED SKI MOUNTS Sept. 29, 1970 Filed April 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5954524? Mia/0 Sept. 29, 1970 F. MARCHU SKIING SINULATOR WITH :[NDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED SKI MOUNTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1968 Sept. 29, 1970 F. MAR CHU 3,531,110 v SKIING SIMULATOR WITH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED SKI MOUNTS Filed April 23, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet,

INVENTOR flee-p: JCX 414 c B r a 4 /Z ATTORN v Patented Sept. 29, 1970 3,531,110 SKIING SIMULATOR WITH INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLED SKI MOUNTS Frederick Marchu, 45 Knowlton Ave., Mount Kisco, N.Y. 10549 Filed Apr. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 723,540

Int. Cl. A 23/04 U.S. Cl. 272-57 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A skiing simulator for teaching and practicing skiing maneuvers which includes mounts for releasably supporting and holding a pair of skiis. The mounts are independently pivotable about the longitudinal axis of theskiis and are independently movable in a plurality of planes, including vertical and horizontal, to simulate a wide variety of ski positions.

This invention relates to a skiing simulator and more specifically to a novel and improved device on which various skiing maneuvers can be taught and practiced. By reason of the novel and improved arrangement of elements, a wide number of skiing maneuvers can be performed which closely simulate actual skiing maneuvers and thus enables one to develop and maintain the necessary muscular coordination and control required for the sport.

While skiing has become an exceedingly popular sport, it is recognized that considerable time and effort is required in order to learn and properly perform the various ski maneuvers which are not only desirable for the enjoyment of the sport but are frequently necessary to enable one to successfully and safely navigate the many and varied slopes. In many areas skiing conditions obtain for limited periods of the year and there are no known devices which are relatively compact and will enable a skier to develop and maintain proficiency during the summer months. This invention provides a novel and improved simulator which is arranged to support skis so that a skier may simulate many of the skiing maneuvers and thus not only maintain himself in condition but also enable him to practice and develop his skill in the performance of more complicated maneuvers.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved simulator for skiing which is characterized by its simplicity and relatively low cost and which closely simulates the actual skiing experience.

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skiing simulator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed to illustrate certain features of the structure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3--3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along the line 44 thereof;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are cross-sectional views of FIG. 3 taken along the lines 55, 6-6, and 77 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modification of the ski supporting means as illustrated in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line 9-9 thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 through 7, the simulator is generally denoted by the numeral 10 and has a lower platform 11 and an upper platform 12. The platforms are held in spaced relationship by a vertical post 13 having upper and lower flanges 14 and 15 secured to the upper and lower platforms 12 and 11 by bolts 16 or other suitable fastening means. The post 13 is positioned near one edge of the platforms 11 and 12, and in the instant embodiment of the invention three coiled springs 17 are positioned in spaced relationship along the opposite portion of the peripheries of the platforms. These springs 17 together with the resilient characteristic of the upper platform 12 provides a desired vertical displacement as the weight of the skier is shifted when simulating maneuvers in the manner to be described.

Conventional skiis 18 illustrated in dotted outline in FIG. 3 are supported by plates or mounts 19 and the plates are in turn pivotally secured through an intermediate mechanism to individual arms 20. Each arm 20 is pivotally supported at one end to a bracket 21 carried by the post 13. In the instant embodiment of the invention each arm 20 is of hollow construction and has a pivot bolt 22 extending through the arm and the bracket 21 so that the arm can swing through an arc. Each arm is further supported by a roller 23 pivotally carried by a U-shaped bracket 24 attached to the lower end of a tubular support 25 which is in turn secured to the arm 20. The axis of the roller 23 is in line with the axis of the arm 20, and it is adapted to roll on an arcuate track 26 secured to the lower platform 11.

The supporting structure for each plate 19 includes a base 27 having vertical rod 28 secured to the underside thereof and pivotally engaging a cooperating opening 29 in the outer end of the arm 20. A spring 30 is interposed between the arm 20 and the base 27 and the compression of the spring can be adjusted by a nut 31 threadably engaging the lower end of the rod 28 to hold the rod in position on the arm. In addition, the outer end of the arm carries an L-shaped bracket generally denoted by the numeral 32 and having a vertical portion 33 welded or otherwise secured to the outer end of arm 20. The horizontal leg 34 of the bracket 32 includes an elongated arcuate opening 35. A second rod 36 welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the base 27 extends downwardly and engages the slot 35. With this arrangement the base 27 can be rotated relative to the arm 20 through an angle A as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this figure the full line position of the plate 19 illustrates one extreme angular position while the dotted line position of the plate 19 illustrates the other extreme angular position.

As pointed out above, the spring 30 affords controlled vertical displacement of the base 27 during the skiing maneuvers and it is desirable that this spring be adjusted so that the weight of the skier will cause rollers 37, carried by shafts 38 secured to each end of the base 27, to contact arcuate tracks 39 and 40 secured to the upper platform 11. It is understood of course that if the upper and lower platforms are formed of metal or other durable material, the tracks 26, 39, and 40' may not be required. When the platforms are formed of wood or plastic, the tracks are desirable in order to prevent unnecessary wear.

The base 27 carries a longitudinal slide generally denoted by the numeral 41. The lower portion of the slide which may be observed more clearly in FIG. 5 is denoted by the numeral 42 and is in the shape of a channel with the upper ends of the side edges bent inwardly. The upper portion 43 of the slide is in the form of an inverted channel having the edges of the legs bent outwardly to form flanges which engage the inwardly formed flanges on the lower channel section 42. A plurality of rollers 44 are carried by the upper channel section 43 and ride on the inner surface of the lower section 42. As will be shown, the utilization of the slides 41 affords longitudinal motion of the skiis 18.

In order to simulate certain ski maneuvers such as parallel turns and side slips, it is desirable to afford lateral tilting motion of the skiis 8. To achieve this motion the upper section 43 of the slide 41 is provided with a pair of trunnion blocks 45 on each end thereof which rotatably receive trunnions 46 carried by downwardly extending brackets 47 secured to the underside of the plate 19. The plate 19 is normally held in a horizontal position as shown in FIG. by a transverse bracket 48 secured to the upper section 43 of the slide 41 which carries a pair of coil springs 49 bearing against the underside of the plate 19. In addition, a coil spring 50 is connected at one end to a post '51 carried by the forward trunnion block and at the other end to a post 52 secured to the rear portion of the lower section 42 of the slide 41. Thus the spring will hold the plate 19 in the rearwardmost position.

The skiis 18 are secured to the plates 19 by a pair of straps 53, each having a hinge 54 at one end thereof secured to one side of the plate '19 and a spring clip 55 at the other end which engages a notch 56 in the underside of the plate 19. It is of course evident that other types of fastening means may be similarly used.

With the invention as described above, it will be observed that the skiis 18 when secured to the plates or mounts 19 can be moved outwardly to simulate such maneuvers as the snow plow, stem turns and the like. This action is effected by the pivotal movement of the arms 20 as well as the pivotal movement of the plates 19 relative to the arms 20. The rotation of the plates 19 about the longitudinal axis defined by the trunnions 46 and illustrated in FIG. 6 is useful in ski maneuvers required in parallel skiing, jump turns, side slips, and the like. In this connection the longitudinal motion of the plates 19 is used simultaneously with the lateral pivotal motion to shift the skiis one relative to the other when simulating turns in parallel skiing. The longitudinal motion will also aid in simulating walking maneuvers.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and may be utilized with the embodiment of the invention previously described to afford an additional motion, namely, the tilting of the skiis either individually or simultaneously in a vertical plane. For purposes of simplicity, corresponding elements of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 1 through 7 are denoted by like numerals. 'In the previous embodiment of the invention, the bottom section 42 of the slide 41 was fixedly secured to the base 27. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bottom section 42 of the slide 41 has its forward end hinged at 57 to the forward end of the base 27. A pair of vertically disposed plates 58 having outwardly formed legs 59 on the lower ends thereof are secured to the base 27 by welding or other suitable procedure. Each plate 58 has an elongated slot 60 which slidably receives pins 61 secured to the lower portion 42 of the slide 41. The plates 58 guide the movement of the rear end of the slide 41 in a vertical plane and the pins 61 limit the total vertical displacement of the rear end of the slide 41 and in turn the plate 19. This motion affords additional realism since in many ski maneuvers the rear portions of the skiis are lifted when shifting the skiis for turning and other similar movements.

While only certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is apparent that'alterations, modifications and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A skiing simulator comprising a pair of arms each pivotally supported at one end for independent angular movement one relative to the other in substantially parallel horizontal planes, an elongated ski supporting plate pivotally carried at a point adjoining the other end of each arm, each of said plates being spring mounted for vertical displacement and means on each plate for releasably attaching a ski whereby said skis upon being secured to said plates can be moved relative one to the other in vertical and horizontal planes and independently pivoted about said arms to simulate actual skiing maneuvers.

2. A skiing simulator comprising a pair of arms each pivotally supported at one end for angular movement in substantially parallel horizontal planes, an elongated ski supporting plate pivotally carried at the outer end of each arm and means on each plate for releasably attaching a ski whereby said skis upon being secured to said plates can be moved relative one to the other to simulate actual skiing maneuvers, each plate including an elongated slide having a pair of slidably interlocked elements with one of said elements being pivotally secured to one of said arms and said plate being secured to the other of said elements and spring means between said elements to normally retain said plate in a rearward position away from said one end of the associated arm.

3. A skiing simulator according to claim 2 wherein each of said plates is pivotally secured to the other of said sliding elements for movement about a horizontal axis aligned with the direction of longitudinal motion afforded by said slide.

4. A simulator according to claim 2 wherein each plate includes an elongated base pivotally secured to one of said arms, an elongated slide having slidably interlocked elements, means pivoting an end of one of said elements to said base for angular movement in a vertical plane, means securing said plate to the other of said elements and spring means between said elements for normally retaining them in predetermined relative positions.

5. A simulator for skiing according to claim 4 wherein each of said plates is pivotally secured to the other of said sliding elements for movement about a horizontal axis aligned with the direction of longitudinal motion afforded by said slide.

6. A simulator according to claim 4 including a substantially horizontal platform interposed between said base and said arms and having an elongated opening to accommodate the pivoting means attaching each base to one of said arms and permitting angular movement of the arms, and rollers carried at each end of each base and operable to engage the surface of the platform during use of the simulator.

7. A simulator according to claim 6 including a second platform underlying the first said platform, means interposed between and secured to said platforms for pivotally carrying said arms, and rollers on said other ends of said arms and engaging said second platform during operation of said simulator.

8. A simulator for skiing according to claim 6 wherein each of said plates is pivotally secured to the other of said sliding elements for movement about a horizontal axis aligned with the direction of longitudinal motion afforded by said slide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,081 2/1942 Mautin 27257 2,573,808 11/1951 Ravoire 27257 3,207,510 9/1965 Gibson 27257 3,364,875 1/1968 Bilaisis 27257 3,374,782 3/1968 Izzo 27257 3,408,067 10/1968 Armstrong 27257 FOREIGN PATENTS 632,029 12/1961 Canada. 832,295 12/1938 France.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner R. W. DIAZ, JR., Assistant Examiner 

